JimKal

We are in the planning stage of a trip to Spain next fall. We plan on being there 3 weeks to a month. We are considering a tour with and additional time for staying somewhere on our own for a week to 10 days. Our alternative is to take the same time and spend a week or so each in Madrid, Barcelona, and Seville ( or perhaps some time in Valencia). If we do the later it would be a combination of hotel or 1 week apartment rentals. We would try to schedule different walking tours that focus on history, museums, and food Are these good destinations to consider? Are their good train connections? I've read that the Madrid - Barcelona is easy to do. But how good is the connection from Barcelona to Seville and Seville to Madrid. If we do the self directed we would probably fly in and out of Madrid. No rust but I would be interested in hearing your suggestions. Thanks.

Robert2016

You should consider flying into one location and out another, which will save on the time lost backtracking when flying in and out of the same location. Take a look at a map of Spain. It will help. You might also want to read Fodor's Guide to Spain.

isabel

Look into flying into Barcelona and out of Madrid. If you have a whole month I would actually add a destination or two. Maybe 4-5 days Barcelona, train (or bus or even fly) to Seville for 3-4 days, bus to Granada for 3-4 days, then to Madrid. (Cordoba can be a stopover on the way - or a day trip from Seville). You can do day trips from Madrid - both Toledo and Segovia are good day trips from Madrid but I actually think they make excellent destinations on their own and are worth 2-3 days each. It means moving hotels more often but you get to enjoy the towns more, the ambiance in the evening is different than when full of day trippers mid day. And since they are smaller towns they are more 'relaxing' than Madrid.

A lot of people propose itineraries where they are moving ever day or two, and only spending 2 or 3 days in major cities, and with long trips between destinations. But if you are devoting a whole month to Spain I think you could see three regions with a few destinations in each and still not feel too rushed. For example one year I did an 8 day trip to Andalucia (Seville, Cordoba and Granada) which did not feel at all rushed. Another trip I did Madrid, Segovia, Toledo and Salamanca in two weeks, also didn't feel rushed.

Reading trip reports give a good sense of how long you might want in each place. If you click on my name and scroll way down I have several Spain reports covering the areas you are considering.

RonZ

http://wikitravel.org/en/Spain

Train tickets on the Renfre site, but quick schedules here:

http://reiseauskunft.bahn.de/bin/query.exe/en?

kja

I agree that flying into one city and out of another -- "open jaw" -- would be wise.

No need to join a tour unless that is your preference -- Spain is very easily visited independently.

I strongly recommend that you consult some good guidebooks to think through what you want to see and do -- perhaps the <i>Michelin Green Guide</i> (even if you use public transportation) or the <i>Rough Guide</i>.

FWIW, I wanted about 10 or 11 days (so 11 or 12 nights) for each of the three areas you are considering -- Andalusia (Seville, Granada, Cordoba, etc.), Madrid (with Toledo, Segovia, Avila, and Salamanca), and Barcelona (with Montserrat, Girona, Figueres, Tossa de Mar, etc.).

Spain is a delightful place to visit - enjoy!

kimhe

Sevilla, Barcelona and Valencia are all connected to Madrid with the excellent high speed AVE train. From city center to city center in no time (Barcelona 2h 30 mins, Sevilla 2h 30 mins, Valencia 1h 45 mins + lots of other cities). http://www.renfe.com/EN/viajeros/

JimKal

Thanks everyone. My initial thought was to split the time in Madrid in two with a few days at the beginning and a few days at the end. But I'll price the open jaw with Madrid and Barcelona the terminal points. I picked up a travel guide for more detailed information, as suggested, to look for what we want to see in each place and what side trips we want to take.

PalenQ

Are their good train connections? I've read that the Madrid - Barcelona is easy to do. But how good is the connection from Barcelona to Seville and Seville to Madrid.>

Like others have said - trains are great now - quicker than flying all in all for both those trips -and trains go to Cordoba, Malaga, Granada,Jerez de la Frontera, etc- and to Toledo just outside of Madrid. For lots about Spanish trains and booking your own tickets online check www.renfe.com; www.seat61.com; www.budgeteuropetravel.com and www.ricksteves.com.

Bedar

Just remember the two holidays in Oct. in your plans- Oct. 12 and Nov. 1.